THE 10 BEST Neighborhoods In Kansas City For 2020


We used science and data to determine which neighborhoods in Kansas City are the best of the best.

Chris Kolmar, About HomeSnacks
January 17, 2020 - 8,750 views
Editor’s Note: We updated this article for 2020. This is our sixth time ranking the best neighborhoods to live in Kansas City.
Best Neighborhoods In Kansas City
Source: Wikipedia User | CC-BY-SA-3.0

Do you like your neighborhood?

Is it friendly, and where everyone knows their neighbors?

No matter if you live in the sticks or in an apartment building in downtown Kansas City, you have a little pocket that you can call home. And each neighborhood is different.

Smaller neighborhoods usually have obvious benefits -- less crime, a slower pace of life, and a lower cost of living. But not all Kansas City neighborhoods are created equal. Some are better than others. But which ones?

Instead of relying on public opinion and speculation, we wanted to get the facts straight and find out which neighborhoods in Kansas City are the best. If you're in one of the places we're about to highlight, odds are you know you've got it made. So, if you're thinking of moving to Missouri and Kansas City is on the top of your list, check out our best neighborhoods to live in.

So what's the best neighborhood to live in Kansas City for 2020? According to the most recent census data, Armour Hills looks to be the best Kansas City neighborhood to live in.

Read on to see how we determined the places around Kansas City that deserve a little bragging rights or maybe you're interested in the worst neighborhoods in Kansas City.

Once you're done, you can look at the bottom of the story for a complete chart of every neighborhood we looked at from best to worst.

For more Missouri reading, check out:

The 10 Best Neighborhoods To Live In Kansas City

1. Armour Hills

Armour Hills Kansas City, MO

Source: Wikipedia User | CC BY 3.0

Population: 2,422
Rank Last Year: 2 (Up 1)
Median Home Value: $240,700 (15th best)
Median Income: $103,120 (Eighth best)
More on Armour Hills: Homes For Sale | Data

Armour Hills is a neighborhood located in Kansas City, Missouri. It is bounded on the west by Brookside Road, on the north by 65th Street, on the east by Oak Street and the south by Gregory Boulevard. The name of this area derives from the fact that the land was owned by members of the Armour family of the Armour and Company.

2. Arnour Fields

Population: 2,107
Rank Last Year: 1 (Down 1)
Median Home Value: $424,200 (Fifth best)
Median Income: $138,553 (Fifth best)
More on Arnour Fields: Homes For Sale | Data

3. Ward Parkway

Ward Parkway Kansas City, MO

Source: Wikipedia User | GFDL

Population: 3,722
Rank Last Year: 7 (Up 4)
Median Home Value: $189,450 (27th best)
Median Income: $81,157 (18th best)
More on Ward Parkway: Homes For Sale | Data

Ward Parkway is a boulevard in Kansas City, Missouri, United States, near the Kansas-Missouri state line. Ward Parkway begins at Brookside Boulevard on the eastern edge of the Country Club Plaza and continues westward along Brush Creek as U.S. Route 56 until it turns southward across the creek just before the Kansas-Missouri state line. It then continues south for four miles, terminating at Wornall Road near West 95th Street.

4. Wornall Homestead

Population: 750
Rank Last Year: 6 (Up 2)
Median Home Value: $306,900 (Tenth best)
Median Income: $129,773 (Sixth best)
More on Wornall Homestead: Homes For Sale | Data

5. Morningside

Morningside Kansas City, MO

Source: Flickr User pasa47 | CC BY 2.0

Population: 1,618
Rank Last Year: 5 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $255,250 (12th best)
Median Income: $103,750 (Seventh best)
More on Morningside: Homes For Sale | Data

6. Romanelli West

Population: 706
Rank Last Year: 11 (Up 5)
Median Home Value: $329,900 (Eighth best)
Median Income: $102,917 (Ninth best)
More on Romanelli West: Homes For Sale | Data

7. Tower Homes

Population: 5,882
Rank Last Year: 18 (Up 11)
Median Home Value: $167,440 (40th best)
Median Income: $69,114 (25th best)
More on Tower Homes: Homes For Sale | Data

8. Volker

Population: 4,523
Rank Last Year: 38 (Up 30)
Median Home Value: $187,420 (29th best)
Median Income: $50,188 (46th best)
More on Volker: Homes For Sale | Data

9. Westwood

Population: 907
Rank Last Year: 26 (Up 17)
Median Home Value: $248,700 (14th best)
Median Income: $91,319 (11th best)
More on Westwood: Homes For Sale | Data

10. West Plaza

Population: 3,939
Rank Last Year: 19 (Up 9)
Median Home Value: $196,200 (24th best)
Median Income: $60,529 (32nd best)
More on West Plaza: Homes For Sale | Data

How We Determined The Best Kansas City, MO Neighborhoods In 2020

In order to rank the best neighborhoods in Kansas City, we had to determine what criteria defines a "best".

Using crime, census, and extrapolated BLS data, we arrived at the following set of criteria:

  • High incomes
  • Low unemployment rates
  • Low crime
  • High home prices
  • High population densities (A proxy for things to do)

We then ranked each neighborhood with scores from 1 to 143 in each category, where 1 was the best.

Next, we averaged the rankings for each neighborhood to create a best neighborhood index.

And finally, we crowned the neighborhood with the lowest best neighborhood index the "Best City Neighborhood In Kansas City." We're lookin' at you, Armour Hills.

Read on below to learn more about what it's like to live in the best places Kansas City, Missouri has to offer. Or skip to the end to see the list of all the neighborhoods in the city from best to worst.

Putting A Bow On Our Analysis Of The Best Neighborhoods In Kansas City

If you're measuring the neighborhoods in Kansas City where crime is low and everyone wants to live, this is an accurate list.

As we mentioned earlier, the neighborhoods in Kansas City aren't all good. North Blue Ridge takes the title of the worst neighborhood to live in Kansas City.

We ranked the neighborhoods from best to worst in the chart below.

For more Missouri reading, check out:

Detailed List Of The Best Neighborhoods To Live In Kansas City For 2020

Rank Neighborhood Population Home Value Median Income
1 Armour Hills 2,422 $240,700 $103,120
2 Arnour Fields 2,107 $424,200 $138,553
3 Ward Parkway 3,722 $189,450 $81,157
4 Wornall Homestead 750 $306,900 $129,773
5 Morningside 1,618 $255,250 $103,750
6 Romanelli West 706 $329,900 $102,917
7 Tower Homes 5,882 $167,440 $69,114
8 Volker 4,523 $187,420 $50,188
9 Westwood 907 $248,700 $91,319
10 West Plaza 3,939 $196,200 $60,529
11 Stanford Gardens 930 $484,300 $200,973
12 Country Lane Estates 1,971 $155,100 $53,150
13 South Plaza 2,537 $343,967 $56,995
14 Verona Hills 2,013 $253,250 $90,614
15 Central Business District-Downtown 4,364 $191,233 $52,423
16 Faireway Hills 2,302 $112,800 $64,853
17 Western 49-63 4,533 $225,120 $82,382
18 Greenway Fields 633 $484,300 $200,973
19 Roanoke 484 $356,000 $51,179
20 White Oak 2,673 $111,000 $60,611
21 Union Hill 865 $230,750 $58,514
22 Oak Meyer Gardens 856 $232,500 $73,942
23 Holmes Park 1,247 $179,500 $60,385
24 Crown Center 759 $200,033 $55,006
25 Highview Estates 2,603 $203,567 $73,725
26 Blue Hills Estates 1,520 $224,800 $53,319
27 Unity Ridge 513 $315,700 $101,023
28 Coleman Highlands 709 $218,800 $71,964
29 Birdlespur 1,364 $168,650 $89,478
30 Mission Lake 3,622 $195,400 $86,398
31 Saint Catherine's Gardens 2,573 $119,000 $62,102
32 Sunset Hill West 321 $975,250 $250,001
33 Southmoreland 3,638 $168,080 $42,346
34 Central Hyde Park 1,317 $286,650 $72,761
35 Timber Valley 371 $174,000 $88,198
36 West Waldo 1,321 $138,900 $63,846
37 Lea Manor 2,044 $150,100 $68,181
38 Waldo Homes 1,554 $116,950 $49,802
39 Red Bridge North 926 $168,150 $83,325
40 Red Ridge South 2,757 $171,350 $43,766
41 Valentine 1,163 $155,950 $40,567
42 Ward Parkway Plaza 471 $148,100 $71,635
43 Blue Vue Hills 1,722 $146,300 $66,875
44 Sunset Hill 921 $597,200 $150,641
45 River Market 523 $228,900 $51,654
46 Kirkside 1,722 $85,700 $35,417
47 Fairwood And Robandee 4,215 $71,000 $41,973
48 Plaza Westport 1,071 $182,150 $48,530
49 Western Hills 1,837 $133,550 $52,030
50 Royal Oaks 1,691 $147,200 $44,514
51 Willow Creek 3,235 $75,567 $37,555
52 Robandee South 1,846 $83,800 $43,036
53 Bannister Ares 1,437 $112,200 $50,651
54 Stayton Meadows 2,471 $87,533 $50,858
55 South Hyde Park 1,981 $139,000 $40,098
56 Eastern 49-63 3,124 $106,033 $39,164
57 Little Blue Valley 4,414 $181,600 $71,172
58 Squier Park 897 $143,200 $44,792
59 Old Westport 964 $181,500 $42,910
60 Rolling Meadows 525 $137,900 $57,625
61 Santa Fe Hills 2,175 $72,133 $43,164
62 Park Farms 3,487 $98,850 $43,396
63 North India Mound 4,849 $50,683 $35,163
64 Hanover Place 2,914 $88,133 $30,502
65 Longfellow 2,007 $172,850 $29,178
66 Martin City 1,046 $188,200 $48,989
67 Bonne Hills 1,863 $104,833 $49,970
68 Fairlane 5,116 $85,875 $46,617
69 South India Mound 4,007 $55,220 $30,911
70 Citadel 1,514 $90,350 $41,866
71 Sarritt Point 3,592 $66,083 $29,106
72 Linden Hills And Indian Heights 2,305 $124,967 $48,461
73 Hickman Mills South 1,596 $74,100 $42,446
74 South Town Fork Creek 1,262 $55,200 $32,522
75 East Meyer 4,625 $76,560 $35,925
76 Eastwood Hill East 3,732 $73,975 $35,776
77 Foxtown East 901 $48,400 $42,372
78 North Hyde Park 1,649 $164,900 $21,453
79 Bleheim Square-Research Hospital 1,652 $66,000 $23,264
80 Sterling Acres 912 $105,800 $46,125
81 Ruskin Heights 4,718 $52,775 $35,841
82 Westside North 1,466 $154,950 $31,394
83 Swope Park Campus 1,527 $58,650 $29,629
84 West Blue Valley 2,281 $46,100 $22,986
85 West Blue Township 713 $76,400 $41,159
86 Broadway Gillham 898 $103,850 $29,974
87 Hillcrest 1,193 $83,800 $32,350
88 Ashland Ridge 1,348 $74,900 $30,375
89 Loma Vista 1,897 $78,650 $31,312
90 Oak Park Southwest 2,096 $19,150 $33,735
91 Oak Park Southeast 1,754 $49,800 $34,078
92 Beacon Hills 675 $111,850 $32,104
93 Wendell Phillips 1,485 $90,167 $20,620
94 Cunningham Ridge 280 $76,400 $41,159
95 Palestine East 1,304 $34,100 $24,810
96 Ruskin Hills 2,775 $66,650 $37,740
97 Oak Park Northwest 2,913 $48,300 $24,219
98 Richards Gebaur 1,338 $97,833 $32,605
99 Stanford Estates 1,954 $82,350 $43,164
100 Oldham Farms 1,012 $66,700 $39,920
101 Hickman Mills 3,570 $88,900 $37,115
102 Swope Parkway-Elmwood 2,541 $67,933 $31,053
103 Westside South 1,302 $106,033 $40,769
104 Vineyard 2,003 $59,000 $27,635
105 Linwood Homeowner-Ivanhoe 1,346 $56,500 $21,750
106 Oakwood 1,634 $85,500 $26,012
107 Country Valley-Hawthorn Square 340 $158,500 $45,549
108 Riss Lake 2,524 $93,600 $27,335
109 Blue Hills 5,148 $59,229 $31,826
110 Self Help Neighborhood Council 1,805 $49,800 $20,620
111 Brown Estates 890 $84,700 $41,351
112 Lewis Heights 712 $93,900 $37,159
113 Manheim Park 1,508 $52,650 $25,860
114 Marlborough Heights-Marlborough Pride 2,591 $33,080 $26,330
115 Pendleton Heights 2,880 $95,775 $18,347
116 Mount Hope 326 $38,000 $16,500
117 Santa Fe 2,168 $43,525 $23,036
118 Lykins 3,734 $40,412 $21,625
119 Legacy East 2,010 $46,500 $29,784
120 Vineyard Northwest 797 $42,700 $19,862
121 Eastwood Hills West 1,396 $66,950 $33,166
122 Indipendence Plaza 2,338 $68,020 $24,060
123 Hidden Valley 933 $86,300 $24,615
124 Ingleside 948 $52,525 $30,750
125 Ivanhoe Northeast 761 $50,300 $25,588
126 Palestine West And Oak Park Northeast 563 $45,200 $41,050
127 Central Blue Valley-Park Tower Grade 1,419 $51,750 $14,866
128 Key Coalition 1,208 $71,500 $14,444
129 East Community Team South 2,736 $24,860 $20,194
130 Norble And Gregory Ridge 1,704 $37,400 $35,777
131 North Town Fork Creek 2,904 $61,040 $27,828
132 Sheffield 2,161 $48,050 $17,559
133 Washington Weatley 1,837 $59,333 $27,573
134 East Community Team North 2,816 $49,200 $23,342
135 Blue Valley Industrial 964 $36,500 $24,398
136 East Blue Valley 1,595 $47,650 $24,536
137 Knoches Park 1,499 $33,833 $22,604
138 Marlborough East 1,265 $46,600 $21,160
139 East Sqope Highlands 833 $86,500 $29,668
140 Ivanhoe Southeast 1,528 $42,750 $21,210
141 Northest Industrial District 157 $18,000 $26,500
142 South Blue Valley 1,992 $25,500 $22,281
143 North Blue Ridge 71 $45,400 $21,078

About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.

 Best Neighborhoods, Rankings